Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 74%
Full-length
The client has a chest tube attached to a portable water seal drainage system. Four hours after the chest tube is inserted, the nurse notes that there is no bubbling in the water seal compartment. What is the most likely explanation for this?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
No bubbling in the water seal four hours post-insertion suggests the lung has reexpanded, resolving the pneumothorax. Obstruction, air leaks, or inactive suction would typically cause other signs.